U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

In Any Clime and Place

Coming Home

Caskets carrying the remains of approximately 36 Marines rest on the tarmac, July 25, 2015, in Tarawa, Kiribati, before a repatriation ceremony. The remains were honored during the ceremony and loaded onto a C-130J Hercules aircraft for their return home to the United States where they will be identified and laid to rest in their final resting place.

Coming Home

A 3rd Marine Regiment color guard takes its place, July 25, 2015, during a repatriation ceremony in Tarawa, Kiribati. The ceremony honored the remains of approximately 36 Marines who fought and died during the Battle of Tarawa during World War II, and were loaded onto a C-130J Hercules aircraft to be transported back home to the United States.

MARFORPAC welcomes new force sergeant major

The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific color guard presents arms during the relief and appointment ceremony on Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, July 23, 2015. During the ceremony, Sgt. Maj. William T. Stables relinquished his duties as MARFORPAC sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Paul G. McKenna.

Band Harmonizes Relations

Master Gunnery Sgt. Mark Gleason, bandmaster, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band, marches to his spot during a military tattoo in Nuku'alofa, Tonga July 8, 2015. The MARFORPAC Band travels throughout the Pacific region to promote community relations and interoperability between the U.S. and other countries.

The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band performs during His Majesty's Birthday Parade in Nuku'alofa, Tonga July 8, 2015. The MARFORPAC Band travels throughout the Pacific region to promote community relations and interoperability between the U.S. and other countries.

MARFORPAC Band, Tonga

Musicians from the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band, the Tonga Royal Corps of Musicians, and the Australian Army march together in Nuku'alofa, Tonga July 1, 2015. The MARFORPAC Band is in Tonga to support the king's coronation and perform with other nations' military bands.

MARFORPAC Band, Tonga

U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band along with soldiers from the Royal Corps of Musicians, His Majesty's Armed Forces of Tonga rehearse together in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, June 29, 2015. The MARFORPAC band travels throughout the Pacific region to promote community relations between the U.S. and other countries.

Khaan Quest 2015 Opening Ceremony

A Mongolian soldier with the Mongolian Armed Forces takes charge of a formation during the opening ceremonies of Exercise Khaan Quest 2015 at Five Hills Training Area in Tavantolgoi, Mongolia, June 15, 2015. Khaan Quest is a regularly scheduled, multinational exercise hosted annually by Mongolian Armed Forces and co-sponsored by U.S. Army, Pacific, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. KQ15 is the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security. This year marks the 13th iteration of this training event. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Christopher Giannetti/released)

MARFORPAC and KORMAR Bands come together

U.S. Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Mark Gleason, Bandmaster of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band, greets Maj. Suwarko, Band Officer of the Indonesian Korps Marinir Band after a joint concert on the 2nd Marine Force, Jakarta Marine Base, June 3, 2015. The musicians from both countries' bands practiced together, culminating in a concert for Indonesian KORMAR aboard the base. This is the first time the two bands have performed together.

Hawaii service members honor the ANZACS with partner nations

U.S. Marines bow their heads as a chaplain prays during the ANZAC Day Ceremony April 25, 2015, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The day commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign, fought by Australian-New Zealand Army Corps forces in World War I. The battle is remembered for the valiant men and the significant losses the nations both suffered. Those who fought are known as “ANZACS” and are honored in one of the most recognized holidays in the South Pacific.

Nepalese and JTF 505 Deliver Aid

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom from Joint Task Force 505 loaded with relief supplies prepares to depart from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal, May 10. The Nepalese government requested the U.S. government’s assistance after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country, April 25. The U.S. government ordered JTF 505 to provide unique capabilities to assist Nepal.

U.S. Marine aircraft arrive in Kathmandu to support Nepal earthquake relief

U.S. Marine V-22 Ospreys fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 3. U.S. Marines also brought an UH-1N Huey, tools and equipment to support the government of Nepal. The Nepalese Government requested the U.S. Government’s help after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck their country, April 25. The Marines are with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group 12, I Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mandaline Hatch/Released)

U.S. Marine aircraft arrive in Kathmandu to support Nepal earthquake relief

U.S. Marine V-22 Ospreys arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 3. U.S. Marines also brought an UH-1N Huey, tools and equipment to support the government of Nepal. The Nepalese Government requested the U.S. Government’s help after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck their country, April 25. The Marines are with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group 12, I Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mandaline Hatch/Released)

U.S. Marines Arrive to Support Nepal

Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler shakes hands with Alfonso Lenhardt May 5 at Tribhuvan international airport before they depart to village Bhirkuna Deurali, Nepal. Wissler, Lenhardt and other members of the United States Agency of International Development will distribute supplies including tarps, sleeping systems and water purification solutions. The Nepalese Government requested the U.S. Government’s help after the earthquake on April 25. USAID is a U.S. Government agency that gives civilian foreign aid in time of natural disasters. Wissler is the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force. Lenhardt is the USAID acting administrator.

U.S., Nepal's military coordinate relief missions

U.S. and Nepalese service members work in the Joint Task Force (JTF) 505 Joint Operations Command Center (FWD) on May 6, 2015. The Nepalese Government requested the U.S. Government’s assistance after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country, April 25, 2015. U.S. Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force have come together with other U.S. services to form JTF-505. JTF-505 works in conjunction with USAID and the international community to provide unique capabilities to assist Nepal.

Service members build up local school during Balikatan 2015

A schoolgirl reads to U.S. Marine Capt. Paul Brashier, a civil affairs Marine assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force, following a mural painting project at Don Joaquin Artuz Memorial Elementary School in Tapaz, Philippines, during Balikatan 2015, April 23. The mural, undertaken by the local schoolchildren, was a
project of the Combined-Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force on the island of Panay.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Engineers, along with U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy Seabees, are constructing a two classroom building at the school. Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder” in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, humanitarian assistance
and disaster relief operations.

Philippine, US Marines storm the beach at Balikatan

A U.S. Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicle operator with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, steers the vehicle through the currents from the Naval Education Training Center in Zambales, Philippines, to the USS Green Bay on April 16, during exercise Balikatan 2015. The AAVs participated in an amphibious assault on April 21 as part of a jointly planned and executed landing by Philippine and U.S. Marines. Balikatan is an annual bilateral training exercise with the U.S. and the Philippines aimed at enhancing readiness and military-to-military relations, territorial defense and humanitarian assistance, and disaster response operations.

The Marines Have Landed

An Amphibious Assault Vehicle lands on North Beach at the Naval Education Training Center in Zambales, Philippines, April 21, during a bilateral amphibious landing by the Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps during exercise Balikatan 2015. Designed to assault any shoreline from the well decks of Navy assault ships, AAVs are highly mobile, tracked armored amphibious vehicles that transport Marines and cargo to and through hostile territory. Balikatan, which translates to “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Filipino, is an annual bilateral exercise between the AFP and the U.S. military, which focuses on improving security cooperation activities, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities, and crisis response throughout the region in accordance with the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Bragg)

Philippine and U.S. Forces conduct Combat Casualty training

Philippine Marine Corps Cpl. Jose Ryan Tinio, combat medic, with Battalion Landing Team 4, 3rd Marine Brigade, acts as a simulated casualty while participants of the Tactical Combat Casualty training apply medical care in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, during exercise Balikatan 2015, April 27. The Tactical Combat Casualty Care training, taught by U.S. Armed Forces, was held to instruct military members as well as practice techniques to become more effective when responding to crisis in the region.

Working 'shoulder-to-shoulder' for exercise Balikatan

U.S. Army Sgt. Brad Ball, an electrical engineer with the 643rd Engineer Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 103rd Engineer Brigade, takes a break to speak with a Filipino child at a construction site where Philippine and U.S. engineers are working together to build facilities in the local Puerto Princesa, Philippines, community as part of exercise Balikatan 2015, April 7. This year marks the 31st iteration of the exercise, which is an annual Philippines-U.S. bilateral military training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance engagement.

Hawaii snipers train in high angle shooting

Lance Cpl. Ivan Trujillo, a scout with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, hikes up Ulupau Crater aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 8, 2015, before conducting high angle firing with his platoon. The Marines trained with high angle shooting, which is anything 30 degrees or greater between them and their target. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Dietz)

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Marines and sailors gather around sergeant major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, aboard Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, as he addressed various topics and explains how important the Marine Corps is as an organization, March 18, 2015. Green also took time to field questions and concerns. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Bragg)

Marines work to send aircraft to Australia

Hand-washing a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter is part of the 1,500 hours it takes to make the aircraft inspection-ready for deployment to Australia. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 have prepared five helicopters for inspection before they are sent to Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, Australia later this year. Each helicopter takes 10 to 20 days to complete.

1/12 conducts mortar training, preps for deployment

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Lance Cpl. Dylan Johnson, a cannon crewman with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, preps a 120 mm high explosive round prior to it being fired from a M327 Expeditionary Fire Support System Oct. 7 during a training and readiness evaluation. The artillerymen from 1st Bn., 12th Marines, spent two days out on the range for their final evaluation prior to leaving to Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Erik Estrada)

Philippine Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Eric Castino performs mechanical advantage control holds on U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joshua Rodriguez, with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Headquarters Group, at Fort Bonifacio, Philippines Aug. 04, 2014 during the Non-Lethal Weapons Executive Seminar field training exercise. The effective use of non-lethal weapons can be extremely valuable during rescue missions, for force protection in civil disturbances, while controlling rioting and prisoners of war, for checkpoint or convoy operations, HA/DR operations, or in situations in which civilians are used to mask a military attack.

Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, speaks to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael J. Smith the MARFORPAC band officer, about how to properly conduct the band, during the 7th Annual Na Mele o na Keiki (Music for the Children) held at the historic Hawai’i Theatre Center, Nov. 30. During the Christmas concert, MARFORPAC helped collect more than 2,000 presents and raised more than $3,200 for Toys for Tots of Hawaii. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Erik Estrada)

Marines use experimental technology during RIMPAC 2014

KAHUKU TRAINING AREA, Hawaii - Lance Cpl. Brandon Dieckmann, an infantryman with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, India Co., leads the Legged Squad Support System through an open field at Kahuku Training Area July 10, 2014. The LS3 is experimental technology being tested by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab as part of the Advanced Warfighting Experiment during Rim of the Pacific 2014. There are multiple technologies being tested during RIMPAC, the largest maritime exercise in the Pacific region. This year's RIMPAC features 22 countries and around 25,000 people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Dietz/RELEASED)

The 3rd Marine Division conducted a repatriation ceremony July 25, 2015 to honor the remains of at least 36 Marines in Tarawa, Kiribati, who fought and died during the Battle of Tarawa in World War II.The Battle of Tarawa, also known as the 76-hour battle, took place from November 20-23, 1943 on the heavily fortified island of Betio, which was held MORE

The Department of the Navy (DON) has published the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) that assesses the potential environmental consequences of establishing a live-fire training range complex (LFTRC), a cantonment area, a family housing area, and associated infrastructure on Guam.The SEIS is specific to the relocation of the reduced MORE

The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band returned July 11, 2015 from a 16-day trip to Tonga where they collaborated with Tonga’s Royal Corps of Musicians, the Australian Army Band and the New Zealand Army Band. Together they performed in the coronation events for King Tupuo VI, the king of Tonga.The MARFORPAC Band did a lot of preparation before MORE